Area Lions clubs help hospital buy laser for eye diseases

NEWS RELEASE

LIONS CLUBS OF ALGOMA

********************** Lions Clubs of Algoma receive international grant to purchase argon laser for Sault Area Hospital

SAULT STE. MARIE - Thanks to a very generous grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Lions clubs throughout Algoma are one giant step closer to fulfilling their goal of raising $100,000 toward the purchase of an argon laser (Pascal Scanning Retinal Laser System) for the new Sault Area Hospital.

Today, they are extremely happy to report that they have received confirmation from the LCIF’s board of trustees that their grant application has been approved in the amount of $52,494.72 Canadian.

This quest began several months ago when the Lions clubs throughout Algoma (Blind River, Bruce Mines, Elliot Lake, Iron Bridge, North Shore, St. Joseph Island, Sault Ste. Marie and Thessalon) decided they would band together to contribute to the new Sault Area Hospital campaign.

Dedicated to ending preventable blindness, they decided they would assist the hospital in purchasing an argon laser, a vital piece of equipment used in the ophthalmology department.

The Lions clubs in the Algoma District set their overall goal as $100,000 toward the argon laser’s total cost of $125,000.

In order to receive the big boost from LCIF, they must raise the remaining portion of $45,318 themselves.

Fortunately, through local fundraising projects they have been working on over the past several months, they are three-quarters of the way there.

The Lions clubs throughout Algoma are urging our community to continue supporting their local projects so they can receive this grant as soon as possible.

The department of ophthalmology uses the argon laser to treat a number of ocular diseases the most common being diabetic retinopathy.

“Our goal in treating patients with the argon laser is to prevent the devastating complication of blindness. Our department treats over 20,000 patients a year in our eye clinic, about half requiring treatment with the argon laser. In the past, three to four painful treatment sessions were required. With the new Pascal Laser one painless treatment will be required”, says Dr. Golesic,

“This project will allow the Lions of Algoma to meet pressing sight needs in Algoma. Our members thank everyone who contributes to this important goal. You are truly helping Lions make a difference in our service towards sight,” says Ron Anderson, project coordinator of the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Club. “I would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to the LCIF, the Sault Area Hospital Foundation, the Lions clubs in the region of Algoma, Dr. Golesic, and District A5 Lions Governor Myra Kiernan for their valuable support and assistance toward achieving our goal.”

It is hoped the argon laser will be purchased and ready to put into service in early 2008.

Sault Ste. Marie physicians are anxious to use the new laser to treat patients from throughout the Algoma District.

Background

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 Lions Clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.

LCIF was founded in 1968 as the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International.

LCIF makes grants for vital community and global projects that meet a wide range of humanitarian needs, including the Sight First program, a worldwide endeavour to significantly reduce preventable blindness.

For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit their website.

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